Afterglow

Afterglow

Year: 1997

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

Director: Alan Rudolph

DramaComedyRomance

Contractor Lucky Mann discovers he's just as adept at mending fractured relationships as he is at construction. When Marianne, a woman feeling unfulfilled in her marriage, is drawn to Lucky’s appeal, it sets off a surprising sequence of events. Marianne’s husband, Jeffrey, becomes entangled in the developing situation, and Lucky’s wife, Phyllis, unexpectedly finds a renewed connection with Jeffrey, sparking a chain reaction of desires and ultimately revitalizing their marriages with humor and unexpected romance.

Afterglow (1997) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Afterglow (1997) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the cosmopolitan hum of Montreal, two long‑time marriages quietly fray beneath the rhythm of daily life. The city’s cool, rain‑slick streets provide a backdrop where ordinary routines—renovations, dinner parties, late‑night conversations—feel suddenly charged with the possibility of change. A tone of dry humor mixes with an undercurrent of yearning, suggesting that even the most familiar settings can become the stage for unexpected connections.

Lucky Mann is a seasoned contractor whose hands are as skilled at repairing cracked drywall as they are at untangling strained relationships. His marriage to Phyllis Hart has settled into a careful distance, each carrying unspoken histories that keep intimacy at arm’s length. Together they navigate a partnership marked by quiet resignation, yet Lucky’s innate ability to mend the practical problems around him hints at a deeper capacity to bridge emotional gaps.

Across town, Jeffrey Byron is a corporate executive whose ambition has left his marriage to Marianne feeling hollow. Marianne, craving children and affection, finds her life increasingly defined by routine and unmet expectations. When she commissions a remodel for a nursery, the project brings Lucky into her orbit, sparking a magnetic attraction that challenges the boundaries of their respective bonds. Their interaction promises a blend of flirtatious chemistry and comedic mishap, as both grapple with desires they have long set aside.

The film balances wit with melancholy, exploring how ordinary people confront the fissures in their lives while searching for renewal. Amid the soft glow of city lights and the clatter of tools, the characters confront choices about love, fidelity, and the strange ways in which a single encounter can ripple through multiple households, hinting at a future where humor and romance may yet reshape their worlds.

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:09

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about marital intrigue like Afterglow

Unhappy couples explore affairs and secrets, leading to messy reconciliations.If you enjoyed the complex web of relationships in Afterglow, explore these similar movies about marital problems, secrets, and affairs. These films capture the bittersweet and introspective mood of couples navigating emotional loneliness and unexpected connections, perfect for viewers who like character-driven relationship dramas.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow the intertwining lives of two or more couples, where dissatisfaction in one relationship leads to an affair with a member of another. The narrative unfolds through secrets being revealed, forcing characters to confront their desires and the consequences of their actions, ultimately leading to a recalibration—but not always a perfect resolution—of their marriages.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the intricate and often painful dynamics of adult relationships, a bittersweet tone, and a steady, character-driven pace that allows for deep exploration of emotional motives and consequences.

Quiet character study movies similar to Afterglow

Subtle dramas where internal emotional conflicts drive the narrative.Fans of the reflective and introspective mood of Afterglow will appreciate these other quiet character studies. These movies share a medium intensity and steady pacing, focusing on internal emotional conflicts, loneliness, and the complex inner lives of their characters in a realistic, thoughtful way.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is less about external events and more about the gradual unfolding of a character's inner world. The story progresses through nuanced interactions and moments of quiet realization, building towards a climax that is often an emotional confrontation or acceptance rather than a dramatic action sequence.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films that share a specific mood and pacing: a melancholic, introspective feel combined with a steady, deliberate rhythm that allows the audience to sit with the characters' emotions. The similarity lies in the atmospheric and psychological approach to storytelling.

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Afterglow Summary

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Afterglow Summary

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Afterglow Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Afterglow

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Afterglow

More About Afterglow

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